Cable holder

ABSTRACT

A cable holder including a frame having a plurality of resiliently flexible trays arranged in a column. A top surface of one of the plurality of trays and the bottom surface of another of the plurality of trays immediately positioned above it forms a pocket that is sized and shaped to receive at least one cable. Each of the trays includes at least one low rail extending from the top surface thereof, and the remainder of the trays includes at least one high rail extending from the bottom surface thereof. A clip is secured to the frame for attachment to a bracket. The trays are depressed to open the pocket, enabling insertion of one or more cables therein or removal therefrom. The resiliency of the trays along with the low rails and high rails deform the cables to form slight bends therein to prevent side-to-side movement or slippage of the cables.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/650,514 filed on Oct. 12, 2012 and entitled CABLE HOLDER, whichclaims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.61/547,369, filed Oct. 14, 2011 and entitled “CABLE HOLDER,” all ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety forall purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cable holder, and, more particularly,to a cable holder adapted to secure a plurality of cables.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cable holders organize and support wires and cables in various settingsand locations. In addition to providing support, cable holders mayinclude mechanisms that restrain motion of the cables at their points ofsupport. Such mechanisms, however, may also provide unnecessaryrestraints in inserting and removing cables from the cable holder.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the disadvantages and shortcomingsdiscussed above by providing a cable holder having a mechanism thatenables quick insertion and release of cables into and out of the cableholder, while restraining movement of the cables when installed therein.The cable holder comprises a frame including a hanger having a firstend, a second end opposite the first end, a first side, a second sideopposite the first side, and a plurality of trays extending from thefirst side. Each of the plurality of trays includes a top surface and abottom surface opposite the top surface, the top surface of one of theplurality of trays and the bottom surface of another of the plurality oftrays immediately positioned above said one of said plurality of traysforming a pocket that is sized and shaped to receive at least one cable.

Each of the plurality of trays includes at least one low rail extendingfrom said top surface thereof. In another embodiment, each of theplurality of trays includes a plurality of low rails. In an embodiment,at least one of the plurality of trays includes at least one high railextending from the bottom surface thereof. In an embodiment, theplurality of trays are arranged in a column extending proximate from thefirst end of the hanger and proximate to the second end of the hanger.In an embodiment, one of the plurality of trays positioned proximate tothe second end of said hanger does not include a high rail, while eachof the remaining of the plurality of trays includes at least one highrail. In an embodiment, each of the plurality of trays includes anupward lip extending therefrom. In an embodiment, each of the pluralityof trays is resiliently flexible such that it is moveable by depressingthe upward lip.

The frame includes a canopy attached to the first end of the hanger. Thecanopy includes a bottom surface and at least one high rail extendingfrom the bottom surface of the canopy. The cable holder furthercomprises a clip attached to the canopy, the clip being sized and shapedto attach the cable holder to a structure. In an embodiment, the clipincludes at least one opening, and the canopy includes a rear side and aprojection extending outwardly from the rear side, the projection of thecanopy being sized and shaped to receive the at least one opening of theclip. In an embodiment, the clip includes a head, a leg portionextending substantially perpendicular from the head, and a back portionextending substantially perpendicular from the head, the at least oneopening includes a first opening formed within the leg portion and asecond opening formed within the at least back portion. In anembodiment, the rear side of the canopy includes a slot, and the legportion and back portion are positioned within the slot. In anembodiment, the clip includes at least one spur.

In an embodiment, the canopy includes at least one tab extendingoutwardly from the rear side thereof for engagement with the structure.In another embodiment, the canopy includes a plurality of tabs. In anembodiment, the hanger includes at least one mounting hole formedtherein that is sized and shaped to receive a fastener for fastening thecable holder to the structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference ismade to the following detailed description of an exemplary embodimentconsidered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a cable holder constructed inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is front elevational view of the cable holder shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the cable holder shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the cable holder shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the cable holder shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 6A through 6C are front perspective, front elevational, and sideelevational views, respectively, of a clip employed by the cable holdershown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 6D and 6E are partial sectional views of the cable holder shown inFIG. 1, with an emphasis on the clip shown in FIGS. 6A through 6C;

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the cable holder shown in FIG. 1attached to a structure and a having a plurality of cables installedtherein; and

FIGS. 8 and 9 are front perspective and side elevational views,respectively, of the cable holder shown in FIG. 1 attached to othertypes of structures and having a plurality of cables installed therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 through 6E illustrate a cable holder 10 that is constructed inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Although thecable holder 10 can be used to support a plurality of cables used inconnection with a variety of systems, it is particularly suitable forsupporting cables on a bracket used in connection with an array of solarpanels. Accordingly, the cable holder 10 will be described hereinafterin connection with a bracket used with an array of solar panels. Itshould be understood, however, that the following description is onlymeant to be illustrative of the present invention and is not meant tolimit the scope of the present invention, which has applicability insupporting cables or wires on brackets, cabinets, or other structuresthat are used with other types of systems (e.g., electrical systems,other power generating systems, telecommunication systems, etc.).

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 5, the cable holder 10 includes a frame 12that serves as a backbone for supporting all of the elements of thecable holder 10, which will be described hereinafter. In an embodiment,the frame 12 includes a substantially T-shaped canopy 14 having a frontside 16, a rear side 18 opposite the front side 16, and sides 20, 22intermediate the front and rear sides 16, 18. In another embodiment, thecanopy 14 is substantially rectangular in shape. In other embodiments,the canopy 14 may have other suitable shapes. A ridge 23 having a slot25 is formed on the rear side 18 of the canopy 14. In an embodiment, theridge 23 is centrally positioned on the rear side 18 canopy 14. A pairof tabs 24 extends from the rear side 18 of the canopy 14, one of whichis located proximate to the side 20, and the other of which is locatedproximate to the side 22. In an embodiment, each of the pair of tabs 24extends rearward and downwardly from the rear side 18 of the canopy 14.In an embodiment, a projection 26 extends rearward from the rear side 18of the canopy 14 and intermediate the sides 20, 22. In an embodiment,the projection 26 is positioned centrally on the rear side 18 of thecanopy 14. In an embodiment, the cable holder 10 includes a clip 28attached to the projection 26. In other embodiments, the cable holder 10may include a plurality of the projections 26 and a plurality of theclips 28, each of which being attached to a corresponding one of theprojections 26 (not shown in the Figures). The structure and function ofthe clip 28 will be described in greater detail hereinafter.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 through 5, the frame 12 includes a hanger 30having a first end 31 and a second end 33 opposite the first end 31, anda front side 35 and a rear side 37 opposite the front side 35. In anembodiment, the canopy 14 is formed integrally with the hanger 30 at thefirst end 31 thereof. In an embodiment, the hanger 30 supports aplurality of horizontally oriented panels 32 (see, for example, FIG. 3)located between the first and second ends 31, 33, and which areseparated from one another by a plurality of openings 34. In anembodiment, the hanger 30 includes a plurality of trays 36 (or steps),each of which is attached to an upper forward portion of a correspondingone of the plurality of panels 34 for supporting cables C therein, asshown in FIGS. 7 through 9, which will be described hereinafter. In anembodiment, the plurality of trays 36 is arranged in a column, as shownin FIGS. 1 through 5. In an embodiment, each of the plurality of trays36 is resiliently flexible, which will be described in greater detailhereinafter. In an embodiment, an upward lip 38 is formed on the frontportion of each of the plurality of trays 36. In an embodiment, each ofthe lips 38 is centrally positioned on its corresponding one of thetrays 36. In another embodiment, each of the trays 36 includes aplurality of the lips 38. In an embodiment, each of the lips 38 isangled in shape. In another embodiment, each of the lips 38 iscurvilinear in shape. In an embodiment, each of the plurality of trays36 includes a pair of spaced-apart, low-rails 40 formed on a top surface41 thereof, and a centrally-located high-rail 42 formed on a bottomsurface 43 thereof. In an embodiment, a high-rail 42 is not formed onthe bottom surface 43 of the lowest positioned tray 36 (see FIGS. 1, 2and 4). In an embodiment, a high rail 45 is formed on the bottom of thecanopy 14 (see FIGS. 1, 2 and 4). In an embodiment, the top surface 41of one of the plurality of trays 36 and a bottom surface 43 of anotherof the plurality of trays 36 immediately positioned above the one of theplurality of trays 36 forms a pocket P that is sized and shaped toreceive at least one cable C. In another embodiment, the pocket P issized and shaped to receive a plurality of the cables C.

In an embodiment, the hanger 30 includes a pair of mounting holes 47formed therein to facilitate mounting of the cable holder 10 to astructure with fasteners (not shown in the Figures). In an embodiment,the mounting holes 47 are positioned proximate to the second end 33 ofthe hanger 30. In another embodiment, the hanger 30 may include more orless than the pair of mounting holes 47. In another embodiment, thehanger 30 need not include the mounting holes 47.

As to be described in further detail hereinafter, each of the lips 38 ispressed downwardly by a user to insert at least one cable C into thepocket P of the trays 36, as well as to remove the at least one cable Ctherefrom. In an embodiment, the cable holder 10 includes six of thetrays 36. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the cable holder 10 mayinclude more or less than six of the trays 36 to accommodate a desirednumber of the cables C.

The resiliency of each of the trays 36, in combination with thepositioning of the low rails 40 formed thereon and the high rails 42, 45formed on the immediately above tray 36 or canopy 14, as appropriate,deform the contours of the cables C to form slight bends therein, whichrestrains the cables C from moving in the direction of the longitudinalaxis of the cables C. The hanger 30 and the lips 38 of the trays 36restrain the cables C from moving in the transverse direction (i.e., thedirection that is oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis ofthe cables C). In an embodiment, each of the low rails 40 and the highrails 42, 45 includes a slight rounded radius so as not to pierce thecables C.

In an embodiment, the frame 12 may be made of NORYL® resin, nylon 6, orother suitable materials known in the art to provide the necessaryflexibility required for installing and removing the cables C into andfrom the cable holder 10, in a manner which is described hereinbelow. Inan embodiment, the frame 12 may be injection molded and, therefore,fabricated in one piece to achieve a high strength-to-weight ratio andto maintain structural integrity over long periods of use.

Referring now to FIGS. 6A through 6E, the clip 28 includes a head 44, aback 46, and a leg 48 with a foot 50. The back 46 of the clip 28includes a pair of spurs 52 formed thereon, for purposes that aredescribed below. An opening 54 is positioned within the back 46 of theclip 28, while an opening 56 is positioned within the leg 48 of the clip28. In an embodiment, both of the openings 54, 56 are located proximateto the head 44 of the clip 28. The clip 28 is installed on the frame 12of the cable holder 10 by sliding the openings 54, 56 over theprojection 26 and pressing it through the opening 56 of the leg 48,thereby locking the clip 28 on the projection 26. In this regard,portions of the head 44 and the back 46 of the clip 28 fit within theslot 25 of the ridge 23 of the canopy 14. Referring specifically toFIGS. 6D and 6E, the clip 28 is also maintained in position by the head44 of the clip 28 bearing the bottom of the ridge 23, and the back 46 ofthe clip 28 bearing on the canopy 14. In an embodiment, the clip 28 maybe stamped out of 301 stainless steel. Alternatively, the clip 28 may befabricated from other suitable materials known in the art, such asplastic.

In operation, with reference to FIGS. 7 through 9, the cable holder 10is shown removably fastened to a bracket 58 that supports an array ofsolar panels (not shown in the Figures). The clip 28 is slipped onto thetop of the bracket 58, with the end opposite the head 44 of the clip 28being inserted first, until the tabs 24 bear on the top of the bracket58. The clip 28 is retained on the bracket 58 by the spurs 52 whichprovide resistance to raising the clip 28 upwardly off of the bracket58, while the foot 50 of the clip 28 grasps a projection 60 formed onthe bracket 58 (see, for example, FIG. 9). In an embodiment, the clip 28can secure the cable holder 10 to a wide range of sizes and profiles ofthe bracket 58, as shown in FIGS. 7 through 9. In an embodiment, thebracket 58 is an aluminum extrusion. In an embodiment, the mountingholes 47 may be used in conjunction with the clip 28, or in place of it,for receiving fasteners (e.g., bolts or screws) to attach the cableholder 10 to the bracket 58 (not shown in the Figures).

With continued reference to FIGS. 7 through 9, once the cable holder 10is fastened on the bracket 58, a user may place the cables C in thetrays 36 of the cable holder 10. More particularly, in an embodiment,the user depresses the lip 38 of the upper most positioned tray 36, andplaces one or more of the cables C in its corresponding pocket P. Theuser then proceeds to place one or more additional cables C in the nexttray 36 (e.g., immediately below), and so on, unit the lowest mostposition tray 36 is filled with the cables C, as necessary dependingupon the application. This sequence is utilized so that the user isalways able to depress the lip 38 of one of the trays 36 without thetray 36 having the resistance of the cables C being positioned below it.To remove the cables C from the cable holder 10, the reverse of theinstallation process is utilized (i.e., the user starts removing thecables C from the lowest tray 36 first and so on). In this manner, theinstallation and the removal of the cables C is accomplished bydepressing the lip 38 downwardly and inserting or removing the cables Cinto and out of the tray 36, respectively, in one simple motion. Ofcourse, in other embodiments, not all of the trays 36 need be utilized,and the cables C can be inserted into a selected one of more of thetrays 36.

In an embodiment, the flexibility of the trays 36 also accommodates arange of diameters of the cables C that may fit within the cable holder10. In an embodiment, the cable holder 10 may hold up to twelve of thecables C, with each of the trays 36 being sized and shaped to receivetwo of the cables C. Alternatively, each of the trays 36 may receivemore or less than two of the cables C. In an embodiment, the cableholder 10 is adapted to receive cables C each with a diameter within arange from 0.20 inch (5.2 mm) to 0.28 inch (7.2 mm). Alternatively, thecable holder 10 can receive cables C having other diameters.

It should be noted that the present invention can have numerousmodifications and variations. In an embodiment, the clip 28 may bereplaced with an adhesive covered pad that may be affixed to the back ofthe frame 12 to attach the cable holder 10 to the bracket 58. Othersuitable mounting means known in the art to attach the cable holder 10to the bracket 58 may be utilized. All such variations and modificationsare intended to be included within the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cable holder, comprising a frame including ahanger having a first end, a second end opposite said first end, a firstside, a second side opposite said first side, and a plurality of traysextending from said first side, each of said plurality of trays includesa top surface and a bottom surface opposite said top surface, said topsurface of one of said plurality of trays and said bottom surface ofanother of said plurality of trays immediately positioned above said oneof said plurality of trays forming a pocket that is sized and shaped toreceive at least one cable.
 2. The cable holder of claim 1, wherein eachof said plurality of trays includes at least one low rail extending fromsaid top surface thereof.
 3. The cable holder of claim 2, wherein saidat least one low rail includes a plurality of low rails.
 4. The cableholder of claim 3, wherein at least one of said plurality of traysincludes at least one high rail extending from said bottom surfacethereof.
 5. The cable holder of claim 4, wherein said plurality of traysare arranged in a column extending proximate from said first end of saidhanger and proximate to said second end of said hanger.
 6. The cableholder of claim 5, wherein one of said plurality of trays positionedproximate to said second end of said hanger does not include a said atleast one high rail, while each of the remaining of said plurality oftrays includes at least one high rail.
 7. The cable holder of claim 6,wherein each of said plurality of trays includes an upward lip extendingtherefrom.
 8. The cable holder of claim 7, wherein each of saidplurality of trays is resiliently flexible such that it is moveable bydepressing said upward lip.
 9. The cable holder of claim 8, wherein saidframe includes a canopy attached to said first end of said hanger. 10.The cable holder of claim 9, wherein said canopy includes a bottomsurface and at least one high rail extending from said bottom surface ofsaid canopy.
 11. The cable holder of claim 10, further comprising a clipattached to said canopy, said clip being sized and shaped to attach saidcable holder to a structure.
 12. The cable holder of claim 11, whereinsaid clip includes at least one opening, and said canopy includes a rearside and a projection extending outwardly from said rear side, saidprojection of said canopy being sized and shaped to receive said atleast one opening of said clip.
 13. The cable holder of claim 12,wherein said clip includes a head, a leg portion extending substantiallyperpendicular from said head, and a back portion extending substantiallyperpendicular from said head, said at least one opening includes a firstopening formed within said leg portion and a second opening formedwithin said at least back portion.